OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – First Alert 6 has the headlines you need to know to get your Thursday started.
New mapping data reveals more acres burned by Nebraska wildfires
The scope of the Nebraska wildfires is greater than previously thought. That’s according to new mapping data.
The Morrill Fire has burned 643,361 acres, and is 67% contained.
The Cottonwood Fire has burned 128,036 acres, and is 78% contained.
Gov. Jim Pillen visited volunteer firefighters in Brady, where the local fire department has served as a headquarters for crews battling the Cottonwood Fire.
“I can’t imagine what you’ve been through in the last 72, 96 hours,” Gov. Pillen said. “So if the embers, if things go, hopefully everyone can get rested up.”
Fallen Iowa soldiers to return home
The two Iowa soldiers killed in a drone strike in Kuwait was set to return home Thursday.
The nonprofit group “The Final Salute” said it will honor Maj. Jeffrey O’Brien and Sgt. Declan Coady with a procession.
The procession was scheduled to leave the Des Moines Airport at around 1:30 p.m.
First Alert 6 is still waiting to learn when the procession for Bellevue soldier Noah Tietjens will be.
The U.S. Army announced Wednesday it has posthumously promoted Tietjens to Master Sergeant.
Funeral services for Master Sgt. Tietjens are set for Saturday, March 28. Visitation will take place the day before, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., at Forest Lawn on Mormon Bridge Road.
The City of Ord, located in central Nebraska, north of Kearney, is still working out some details but is planning to have a community vigil on April 4, according to a Wednesday post on Facebook.
Martinez to address Nebraska Supreme Court decision
Retired U.S. Marshal Mark Martinez and his attorney was set to hold a news conference at 10 a.m. Thursday.
The news conference comes a day after the Nebraska Supreme Court ruled Martinez could stay on the ballot in the race for Douglas County sheriff.
Martinez, who is running against current Sheriff Aaron Hanson, had filed an emergency appeal with the state’s high court challenging the decision last week by the Douglas County Election Commissioner that declared him ineligible for the county sheriff’s race.
Local and state leaders on both sides of the aisle reacted to the decision Wednesday.
“Republicans tried to hand Douglas County a Sheriff without an election. The Nebraska Supreme Court just handed the Republicans a loss,” Nebraska Democratic Party Chairman Jane Kleeb said. “Mark Martinez, a police officer and U.S. Marshal, will be on that ballot because voters, not party bullies, choose who keeps them safe.”
“Court ruling aside, it’s very concerning for voters to see a candidate without an active law enforcement certification attempting to serve as the county’s top cop,” Nancy Hicks, Chair of the Douglas County Republican Party, said. “If Mark Martinez is elected, he’ll be required to attend a 17 or 20 week basic law enforcement academy just to meet minimum qualifications. That means Douglas County could effectively be without a fully qualified sheriff for over four months. That’s unacceptable.”
Watch Wednesday’s 7 a.m. streaming newscast
Join our team at 7 a.m. weekdays for the latest morning headlines.City announces parking plan amid streetcar frustrations
City leaders came out of a Wednesday meeting with the Omaha Streetcar Impact Alliance with plans to discount garage parking.
Park Omaha will now charge $1 per session to park in certain city garages in an attempt to help support businesses struggling amid the streetcar construction.
The parking validation program will roll out in the next 4-6 weeks, according to a release from the city. The program will apply to two city parking garages:
1516 Douglas St. – 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. on weekdays; all day on weekends899 Farnam St. – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays
Additionally, the garage at 1215 Capitol Ave. will offer a similar program from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. weekdays and all day on weekends, allowing customers to pre-pay $1 at the garage gate. Event rates will be $3 for pre-pay and $5 at the gate.
NDOT to hold open house on proposed road improvements
The Nebraska Department of Transportation was set to host on open house Thursday evening.
Officials were set to discuss proposed improvements along Interstate 680 and Highway 133.
The project would improve roughly 5.7 miles of road.
Construction could begin as early as the spring of 2029, and be completed by fall of 2030.
Thursday’s open house is from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Davis Middle School
Nebraska men’s basketball to begin NCAA tournament play
The Nebraska men’s basketball team was set to kick off its journey to potential national championship Thursday morning.
The fourth-seeded Huskers were selected to play 13th-seeded Troy.
The two teams will play in Oklahoma City at 11:40 a.m. CT with televised coverage on truTV.
Neither Nebraska nor Troy have ever won an NCAA tournament game. The Huskers are the only power conference program with that distinction.
“Is there a pressure that goes along with that? Of course, there is,” Nebraska Head Coach Fred Hoiberg said. “But as I’ve said to the team, pressure is a privilege. It’s what it’s all about.”
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